Growing Up in Chaos - Helping Kids Make Healthy Choices in a Turbulent World
In today’s America, kids aren’t just growing up—they’re growing up fast. The social and political climate is saturated with tension, violence, and uncertainty. From mass shootings to political assassinations, the headlines are no longer just adult concerns—they’re shaping the emotional and psychological landscape of childhood.
When the World Feels Unsafe
Recent events have made it clear: public safety is no longer a given. In just the past year, we’ve seen:
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a university event.
A deadly shooting targeting Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump, one of which left him wounded.
A mass shooting at a Minneapolis church that killed two children and injured 21 others.
A surge in swatting incidents and bomb threats at schools and college campuses nationwide.
These aren’t just news stories—they’re trauma triggers. Kids are absorbing this chaos, often without the tools to process it. And when fear, anxiety, and hopelessness take root, substance use can become a tempting escape.
Substance Use as a Symptom
Youth substance use isn’t just about peer pressure or curiosity anymore. It’s increasingly a response to:
Chronic stress and anxiety
Exposure to violence and instability
Lack of trust in adults and institutions
Feelings of isolation or helplessness
Whether it’s vaping to calm nerves or experimenting with drugs to feel in control, many kids are using substances to cope with a world that feels out of control.
What Adults Can Do
We can’t shield kids from every headline, but we can help them build resilience. That starts with:
Open conversations: Let kids talk about what they see and feel. Validate their emotions.
Teaching coping skills: Help them manage stress, regulate emotions, and make thoughtful decisions.
Modeling healthy behavior: Show what it means to respond to chaos with courage and compassion.
Advocating for change: Support policies that reduce violence, improve mental health access, and protect schools.
Youth Workshop Guide: “Resilience in a Turbulent World”
This mini workshop outline is designed for ages 11–18 and can be adapted for home, classrooms, or community groups.
Workshop Goals
Help youth understand how current events affect their emotions and choices
Teach healthy coping strategies
Foster critical thinking and emotional resilience
Encourage open dialogue about substance use and mental health
Workshop Outline
1. Welcome & Grounding (10 min)
Icebreaker: “What’s one thing you’ve seen in the news that stuck with you?”
Breathing exercise or short mindfulness activity
2. Understanding the World Around Us (20 min)
Presentation or discussion on recent events (age-appropriate)
Explore how these events make us feel
Activity: Emotion mapping—draw or write how different events affect your mood
3. Substance Use: Why It Happens (15 min)
Discuss common reasons youth turn to substances
Myth-busting: What substances can and can’t do
Group brainstorm: “What are better ways to cope?”
4. Building Resilience (20 min)
Teach 3–5 coping strategies (journaling, exercise, talking to someone, creative outlets)
Role-play scenarios: “What would you do if…?”
Activity: Create a personal “Resilience Toolkit” (draw or list strategies that work for you)
5. Safe Spaces & Support (15 min)
Discuss who kids can talk to when they feel overwhelmed
Create a “Circle of Trust” diagram
Encourage ongoing conversations at home or school
6. Wrap-Up & Reflection (10 min)
Share one thing learned or one strategy they’ll try
Optional: Write a letter to your future self about staying strong
Takeaways - The discussion doesn’t have to be perfect; just have the discussion. It may look like this crazy world isn’t getting to our kids, but it is. Give them a safe space to talk and be heard. Guide them, support them, and make sure they know that many people are there for them.
For more information, help, and resources, please visit www.steeredstraight.org or call (856) 691-6676
Our mission is to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions through a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.
